Quicksand: I think a lot about continuums and spectrums. This is a poem (which is also the foundation of my Tedx Talk) about how we respond to injustice, especially when it doesn't directly affect us.

Cherry Spoon Bridge to Nowhere: A poem about the iconography of the Twin Cities, and how the symbols used to represent a place can sometimes silence many of the people who live in that place. More here.

Dust: A poem I was commissioned to write about the Day of Remembrance, while also tying in current struggles against xenophobia and anti-immigrant hate.

Poems on Class Identity and Activism:

The Family Business: This is a piece about work and identity, and the relationship between who does the work and who benefits the most from that labor.

Starfish: I think a lot of activists-- and people in general-- struggle with the tension between doing positive, face-to-face direct service work and trying to create large-scale, sustainable, institutional change. We need both, obviously, but it can be a challenge to figure out where you fit in.

A Prayer for Indie Rappers: The title refers to hip hop artists, but this is really an anthem for anyone who does any kind of creative work. This is my personal mantra, the poem that keeps me moving forward.

Neutral: While specifically addressing the Anoka-Hennepin teen suicides, this poem is really about the political ramifications of neutrality. Like Howard Zinn said, you can't be neutral on a moving train.